Suspected driver in Fontana big-rig fatal crash arrested

FONTANA >> The California Highway Patrol arrested the driver of a tractor-trailer that hit two vehicles, killing one of the drivers at about 2 a.m. Thursday.

After the crash, described as a hit-and-run at Etiwanda and San Bernardino avenues, the driver continued north on Etiwanda about a half-mile to Napa Street, stopped and fled on foot, according to CHP spokesman Johnie Russell.

He said the truck driver was traveling north on Etiwanda when he ran a red light and crashed into two cars passing through the intersection, a white Ford Escape and silver Infiniti.

Guadencio Perez, a 52-year-old resident of Ontario and the driver of a silver 1997 Infiniti, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office. Thee people in the Ford SUV suffered minor injuries, Russell said.

The CHP did not immediately release the truck driver’s name, but Russell said the driver was arrested at his home in Fontana after a witness identified him.

The tractor-trailer is owned by Fontana-based R. Flores Transport, according to CHP Sgt. Josh Buffum.

The listed address for R. Florence Transport is a residential dwelling in south Fontana.

Neighbors said they have never seen a big rig parked on the street.

A young woman in the house said “R Flores is my father. He does not live here anymore. He hasn’t lived here in years. We have nothing to do with this.”

She also said authorities had been to the house earlier in the day looking for her father.

Initially, San Bernardino County sheriff’s officials sent in a helicopter and bloodhounds in an effort to find the driver, Buffum said.

“The dogs lost the scent,” Buffum said.

An investigation by the CHP and sheriff’s deputies located the truck driver after following leads to multiple locations, Russell said.